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The rich galactic environment of a H$_2$-absorption selected quasar
- Source :
- A&A 688, L25 (2024)
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- We present the first VLT/MUSE observations of a quasar featuring a proximate molecular absorption system, SDSS J125917.31+030922.5. The proximate damped Ly$\alpha$ absorption acts as a natural coronagraph, removing the quasar emission over $\sim$40 {\AA} in wavelength, and allows us to detect extended Ly$\alpha$ emission without the necessity of subtracting the quasar emission. This natural coronagraph permits the investigation of the quasar environment down to its inner regions ($r < 20$ kpc), where galaxy interactions or feedback processes should have the most noticeable effects. Our observations reveal a dense environment, with a highly asymmetric Ly$\alpha$ emission within $2"$ ($\sim 15$ kpc), possibly shaped by a companion galaxy, and a southern extension of the nebulae at about 50~kpc, with rotation-like kinematic signature. The width of the Ly$\alpha$ emission is broadest closer to the quasar, indicating perturbed kinematics as expected if interactions and significant gas flows are present. The foreground absorbing system itself is redshifted by $\approx $400 km/s relative to the background quasar, and therefore is likely arising from gas moving towards the quasar. Finally two additional Ly$\alpha$ emitters are detected with $>10\,\sigma$ significance at 96 and 223 kpc from the quasar, making this field overdense relative to other similar observations of quasars at $z\sim 3$. Our results support the hypothesis that quasars with proximate neutral/molecular absorption trace rich environments where galaxy interactions are at play and motivates further studies of H$_2$-selected quasars to shed light on feeding and feedback processes.<br />Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A
- Subjects :
- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies
Subjects
Details
- Database :
- arXiv
- Journal :
- A&A 688, L25 (2024)
- Publication Type :
- Report
- Accession number :
- edsarx.2407.16818
- Document Type :
- Working Paper
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202451236